Press Releases

Aquifer Protection

The City of Chilliwack is firing back after a letter from Kinder Morgan showed little concern for the safety of the Sardis Vedder aquifer and the City’s municipal water supply well.

In a letter dated May 1, Kinder Morgan asserted that there is no possibility of proceeding with a route within the BC Hydro right-of-way in Balmoral Park and provided the City with a heavily redacted report that is of little value in its current state.

Kinder Morgan also wrote that it did not include the Sardis Vedder aquifer and the City’s municipal water supply well intake/drawdown region as a concern in their alignment scenarios.

The City of Chilliwack has clearly and repeatedly told Kinder Morgan that one of our community’s biggest concerns is the safety of our drinking water and the protection of our aquifer. This was the number one concern identified in the City’s letter of comment to the National Energy Board.

“I am concerned that Kinder Morgan would imply that we haven’t clearly communicated our concerns over the safety of one of our greatest resources, our drinking water, and find it preposterous that this concern wouldn’t be taken into account when considering the option of routing within the BC Hydro right-of-way in Balmoral Park,” said Mayor Sharon Gaetz.

The City of Chilliwack is asking Kinder Morgan to forward a complete unredacted copy of the BC Hydro study for independent review to help the City determine if alternatives to safeguard Chilliwack’s drinking water were considered.

In its letter, Kinder Morgan also rejected the City’s request for automated vapour monitoring to ensure early detection of leaking oil.

“We take our obligation to protect drinking water very seriously. An independent consultant identified automated vapour monitoring as an important tool to help ensure the safety of our drinking water and I am shocked that Kinder Morgan would be so dismissive,” said Mayor Gaetz.

In response to Kinder Morgan’s letter, Mayor Gaetz criticized the company for their lack of attention to detail and accuracy, expressing a growing dissatisfaction with its disregard for Chilliwack’s natural resources.

The City of Chilliwack is committed to continue communicating the importance of safeguarding our drinking water and natural resources to Kinder Morgan and the Provincial government.

The deadline for letters to concern to the National Energy Board (NEB) around detailed routing is May 7, 2017. Residents should let the NEB know that the protection of our aquifer is a priority. Letters can be sent to: